Ellis Raymond Kinder (July 26, 1914 - October 16, 1968), also nicknamed "Old Folks", was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who played for the St. Louis Browns (1946-1947), Boston Red Sox (1948-55), St. Louis Cardinals (1956) and Chicago White Sox (1956-57). He was born in Atkins, Arkansas.
Despite he made his MLB debut as a 31-years old rookie, Kinder went on a nice career. He is one of few pitchers in baseball history who won or saved a combined total of at least 200 games, and who were primarily starters for at least a third of their career.
Kinder was the best starting pitcher in the American League in 1949, going 23-6 and leading the league in shutouts (6) and a .793 of winning percentage, with a 130 adjusted ERA. In fact, Kinder's ERA+ for his four years as a starter were 87, 117, 130 and 115. And then, in 1951, the Red Sox, desperate for a relief pitcher, moved him to the pen where he shined as the best reliever in the AL until 1955.
In his 12-year career, Kinder compiled a 102-71 record with 749 strikeouts, a 3.43 ERA, 56 complete games, 10 shutouts, 102 saves, and 1479 innings pitched in 484 games.
Ellis Kinder died in Jackson, Tennessee, at the age of 54.
Highlights
- Twice Top 10 MVP (1949, 1951)
- Twice led league in winning percentage (1949, 1951)
- Led league in shutouts (1949)
- Twice led league in games pitched (63, 1951; 69, 1953)
- Twice led league in saves (1951, 1953)
- Pitched a 10 scoreless relief win-game (1951)
- 4-time led league as the oldest player (1955-57)
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